Treatment For Retentive Encopresis

The optimal treatment regiment for encopresis involves both a medical and a behavioral approach. If a pediatrician makes a diagnosis of retentive encopresis, the physician may recommend laxatives, stool softeners and/or an enema to remove the fecal impaction. The goal is prevent constipation and encourage good bowel habits. A stool softener is often prescribed.

Children should eat a high fiber diet with lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Large amounts of water and regular exercise can help with softer stools and decrease the discomfort associated with bowel movements.

Parents should be supportive and should refrain from criticism or discouragement. Children can be taught to not feel ashamed of the toileting behaviors and psychotherapy can help decrease the sense of shame, guilt and/or loss of self esteem that children may feel.

For the really tough cases, pediatric gastroenterologists use a behavioral method involving biofeedback and video presentations to retrain children who contract, rather than relax their external sphincter muscles during an attempt to make a bowel movement. This method teaches the child not to strain while keeping their anal canal open.

continue to treatment for non-retentive encopresis

back to retentive encopresis or non-retentive encopresis definitions

back to encopresis symptoms